The Kalamazoo Scottish
Festival Association
About our Organization
The Kalamazoo Scottish Festival Association is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit organization, dedicated to preserving Scottish history and culture in the Kalamazoo area. We work with a number of Michigan Scottish Organizations and the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations(COSCA).
For more information about our events or how to get involved with the Festival please reach out using the "Get Involved" button. We also have a Facebook group attached to our page for anyone who wants to keep in touch with other Scots in the Community.
What We Do
The KSFA has been promoting Scottish Culture in the Kalamazoo area for over 30 years. Through our annual Scottish Festival, educational outreach programs, and other events.
Who We Are
We are a dedicated kinship of Scottish-Americans living in south-west Michigan. We come from a variety of backgrounds and we welcome all who wish to further explore their Scottish roots, and those who are not Scots but who wish to engage in our cultural heritage!
Join the Cause & Donate
Interested in being a volunteer, sponsor, vendor, or exhibitor? If so please reach out to us here for more information! Also, please consider Donating. As a registered 501c3 Non-Profit corporation, we run entirely on Sponsorships and Donations. This has the perk of keeping our annual festival free to the public. All donations are tax deductible.
Our Logo and Arms
As the KSFA has grown over the years we have used the five headed thistle surrounded by a strap and buckle as our logo. It has had many forms over the past thirty or so years but the generic principals have stayed the same. This latest illustration was decided upon by the board after several months of conversation and we are proud to use it entering into our 30th year.
We, just as many other Scottish-American cultural organizations active in the United States, have in addition to our logo an official coat of arms. In Scots heraldry arms do not belong to a family or clan, but are only used by individuals and organizations, with marks of cadency differencing them from the original stem arms. In the United States individuals and organizations are free to adopt arms so long as they follow traditional heraldic law. Our arms are registered in the U.S. but follow Scottish inspiration and tradition.
The waves on the arms represent the Kalamazoo River, the golden field the fields of our area, the five headed thistle represents our organization itself and its members. This is shown beneath a saltire, the flag and symbol of Scotland. Our crest is of the unicorn bearing a Scottish pennon on a lance. A former flag of war, now used to mark festival and games fields. This Achievement is supported by a Scottish Stag standing on a field of Heather, and a Whitetail Deer standing over a field of Trillium. Our motto is, "Air Adhart" which translates to "Forward".
These arms were devised and registered by the board in 2021.
